DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST INEFFICIENT CIVIL SERVANTS (Particulars)

Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the number of cases in which disciplinary proceedings were taken against civil servants for inefficiency in 1969 and in the first nine months of 1970, and what were the outcomes of the cases.

Mr Tang See Chim (for the Minister for Finance): Mr Speaker, Sir, in 1969, reports were made against 39 officers for inefficiency. Three of these cases were not pursued due to lack of evidence. Of the remaining 36 cases, four are still under investigation. Disciplinary proceedings were taken against the remaining 32 cases. The results were as follows:

(i) eight officers were warned or reprimanded;

(ii) six were fined up to a maximum of one month's salary;

(iii) seven had their salaries reduced (the maximum reduction was two increments);

(iv) one officer's increment was stopped for a year;

(v) three officers were retired in the public interest;

(vi) one contract officer had his services terminated on three months' notice; and

(vii) six officers were dismissed.

In the first nine months of 1970, 2t cases of inefficiency were reported to the Public Service Commission. Sixteen of these cases are still under investigation; one case was not pursued as there was insufficient evidence. Of the four cases where action has been concluded, the results were:

(i) two officers were dismissed;

(ii) one was retired in the public interest;

(iii) one was warned to improve in his work.

Mr N. Govindasamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister of State for Finance say how long the Public Service Commission takes to complete investigations into a disciplinary case? Sir, I was shocked to hear that there are cases pending from 1969. This is November 1970.

Mr Tang See Chim: Mr Speaker, Sir, in all cases, investigations proceed with all due speed. But sometimes it is unavoidable that cases are held up. Of the 39 cases reported, only four are still under investigation. That is about 10 per cent.

Mr N. Govindasamy: Sir, can we have an assurance from the Minister of State for Finance that every effort will be made to expedite the investigation of these cases so that within a year the officers concerned will know what their fate is?

Mr Tang See Chim: I can give that assurance, Sir.